RepublicanIn office since Nov 2024

Lauren Nelson

South Dakota State Senator, District 18 since 2024. Ran in 1 election in 2024, winning 1. Re-elected in 2026. Next on the ballot in 2028.

South Dakota State Senator, District 18Born 1970

Official website Wikipedia

In office: 1 yr; Since 2024
Bills became law: 43; 129 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
Votes missed: 0.0%; Chamber median 0.8%
With party: 89%; On votes splitting the parties
Last margin: +15.3; Won 2026
Next election: 2028; Nov 7, 2028

Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET

Committees

As of 2026-10.

Developmental Disability Service Delivery
Education
Local Government
Medical Marijuana Oversight
Transportation

Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Legislation

2025–2026 session · 129 sponsored · 43 became law

BillIntroCmteSenateHouseLaw

HB 1313 require education in prenatal human growth and development.
Abortion · Became law Mar 2026

SB 132 modify provisions related to the South Dakota Veterans Council.
State Affairs and Government · Became law Mar 2026

SB 219 require that a state agency consult with the Aeronautics Commission prior to purchasing, transferring, or…
Administrative Procedure · Became law Mar 2026

HB 1140 permit a court to impose as a condition of probation, or parole in certain circumstances, treatment at a…
Courts and Judiciary · Became law Mar 2026

SB 107 add licensed and registered child care programs to the definition of community safety zone.
Child Care · Became law Mar 2026

Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET

Voting record

2025–2026 session · placement by roll-call votes

Where Nelson sits in the South Dakota State Senate

Nelson is closer to the center than 18% of the chamber's Republicans.

Closest: Joy Hohn, MyKala Voita, Mark Lapka

Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 5:01 PM ET

With Nelson’s party

Votes with the chamber's Republicans89%

Black tick: the average of Republicans in the South Dakota State Senate.

Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships

Key votes

Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Nelson’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.

Date	Bill	Nelson	Rep. majority	Dem. majority	Result
Mar 9, 2026	HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or…	No	Yes	Yes	Passed 20–14
Mar 5, 2026	HB 1245: authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital improvement…	No	Yes	Yes	Passed 19–15
Mar 5, 2026	HB 1138: require the licensure of non-medical home care agencies, and to provide a penalty therefor.	No	Yes	Yes	Passed 20–14
Mar 4, 2026	HB 1263: eliminate an exclusion from the definition of an agricultural equipment dealer.	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 28–6
Mar 3, 2026	HB 1313: require education in prenatal human growth and development.	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 31–3